ArticleIn India, pomegranate is considered
as a crop of the arid and semi-arid regions because it withstands different soil
and climatic stresses. It thrives best under hot
dry summer and cold winter provided irrigation facilities are available. The
tree requires hot and dry climate during fruit development and ripening
(Patil & Karale,
1990). It
cannot produce sweet fruits unless the temperature is high for a sufficiently
long period. Humid climate lowers the quality of fruits and increases incidence
of fungal diseases (Llacer
et al, 1994). The pomegranate tree is
deciduous in areas of low winter temperature and an evergreen or partially
deciduous in tropical and subtropical conditions. The pomegranate tree can withstand low
temperatures in the winter and is drought and salt-tolerant. As pomegranate is hardy in nature having
wide adaptability, low maintenance cost with huge returns. The fruit is consumed fresh or can be processed into
juice, syrup, jams, jelly or even wine.

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